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Can You Grow Ground Cherry in North Carolina?

US · USDA Zone 7b · zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a

Grows well here

Ground cherries grow easily in your zone — a surprisingly productive and self-sufficient crop.

Plant zones

3a–9b

North Carolina last frost

late February

North Carolina first frost

early December

Days to harvest

70–85 days

When to plant Ground Cherries in North Carolina

Start indoors

Jan 17

Transplant

Feb 28

Harvest

May 9 – May 24

Dates are approximate, based on North Carolina's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Ground Cherry

Ground cherries (husk cherries) are a hidden gem of the vegetable garden — sweet vanilla-pineapple flavored fruits inside papery husks that drop naturally when ripe. Excellent for jam, baking, and eating fresh.

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Plants self-mulch with dropped husks — fruits inside stay fresh on the ground for weeks. Harvest husked fruits daily. Productive and drought-tolerant once established. Self-seeds freely the following year.

Full ground cherry growing guide →

Gardening in North Carolina

North Carolina spans the mountains (Zone 5b-6a), Piedmont (Zone 7a-7b), and coastal plain (Zone 8a). Long warm seasons support tobacco, sweet potatoes, and a wide range of vegetables.